[holding answer 11 June 2007]: In close co-ordination with the FCO and MOD, DFID is responsible for the oversight of reconstruction projects in Iraq under the auspices of the International Development Act 2002. Our programme is managed from London with support from our offices in Baghdad and Basra.
Our priority is to build the capacity of the Iraqi Government to manage and spend their own resources effectively to deliver improved public services. We are also looking at options for supporting reconciliation and ways to reduce the level of violence. Finally, we are supporting humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to the four million displaced people in Iraq and neighbouring countries.
The UK has pledged £744 million for reconstruction and development in Iraq since 2003. So far £610 million has been disbursed, of which £488 million has been spent by DFID (including EC contributions). This includes over £125 million to support humanitarian agencies since 2003 (£10 million of which has been spent in 2007).
DFID has reporting arrangements in place for each of our own projects. All of DFID’s funds are subject to rigorous internal controls and the National Audit Office audits DFID’s accounts on an annual basis. Our 2005-06 audited resource accounts are available at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdfid/resource-accounts.asp. In addition our work is regularly scrutinised by the International Development Select Committee.